More than 30 runners and bikers compete in first Craig Duathlon

A rider makes her way past the pond at Loudy-Simpson Park during Sunday’s Craig Duathlon. More than 30 riders and runners participated in the event, which is part of the Steamboat Springs Running Series.

Results

Top three overall male finishers:

1 Glen Light 1:27:41

2 Brad Bingham 1:28:07

3 Derek Leidigh 1:35:05

Top three female finishers:

1 Carri Wullner 1:52:30

2 Cara Marrs 2:04:16

2 Emily Conjura 2:04:16

Top three team finishes:

1 Team No. 46

(Dana Fujita) 1:42.46

2 Team No. 43

(Kristopher Nichols) 1:54.36

3 Team No. 42

(Roy Meats) 1:55:16

A rider makes her way past the pond at Loudy-Simpson Park during Sunday's Craig Duathlon. More than 30 riders and runners participated in the event, which is part of the Steamboat Springs Running Series.

Ben Bulkeley

Craig resident Amy Peck had one goal Sunday while competing in the first Craig Duathlon.

"I just wanted to finish the race," she said. "And I did."

Peck was one of more than 30 runners and bikers to compete at both Loudy-Simpson Park and a bike loop around Tri-State Generation & Transmission.

The first leg of the duathlon, which is part of the Steamboat Springs Running Series, is a 5K run around the cross-country course at Loudy-Simpson.

The second part was a 30K bike ride extending from Loudy-Simpson to Tr-State, onto Colorado Highway 13, and then First Street before returning to Ranney Street.

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The last leg of the duathlon was another 5K race around Loudy-Simpson.

Peck said she was encouraged to join the event because it was in her hometown.

"It was nice to have something to do," she said. "I like to run out here, and I love the course."

Peck finished in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds, but for her, the biggest accomplishment was finishing something she set out to do, she said.

"The bike part was tough, especially because I was on a mountain bike," she said. "But, I finished well."

Craig's Mike Tucci was also able to complete the circuit, needing 2 hours, 13 minutes and 9 seconds.

Like Peck, Tucci said he was drawn to the duathlon because it is Craig's only event in the running series.

"I think it's wonderful," he said. "I wish we had more things of this type.

"It brings people here who I rarely get to see."

Tucci said the last 5K run was the toughest part of the day.

"At that point, all of your bike muscles are pumping and ready to go," he said. "It takes some time to get coordinated after getting off the bike."

Steamboat Springs' Glen Light finished first overall with a time of 1 hour, 27 minutes and 41 seconds.

Light, the former Steamboat Springs High School cross-country coach, said he had an advantage because he was familiar with the running course.

"The course was awesome today," he said. "I knew what it was going to be like, but I'm just glad there isn't the hill near the end anymore."

On his second run around Loudy-Simpson, Light said he was feeling good about his chances.

"It was good," he said. "The first run felt nice and relaxing, but I knew that there would be some strong cyclists coming up."

One of those cyclists included Brad Bingham, who finished second overall.

"I was caught early on the bike," Light said. "I was already in my red zone, and I was just trying to keep (Bingham) in my sights."

Bingham, who is also Light's co-worker, said he felt good to be on the bike, where he had the advantage.

"I came out for the bike element," he said. "I'm much more of a biker than a runner.

"I definitely enjoyed the chance to get out."

Bingham was second at 1 hour, 28 minutes and 7 seconds, and Derek Leidigh was third at 1 hour, 35 minutes and 5 seconds.

For the women, Carri Wullner finished first with a time of 1 hour, 52 minutes and 30 seconds.

Cara Marrs and Emily Conjura tied for second place with a time of 2 hours, 4 minutes and 16 seconds.

For teams, team No. 46, which was anchored by Dana Fujita, finished first with a time of 1 hour, 42 minutes and 46 seconds.

Team No. 43, which was anchored by Kristopher Nichols, finished second with a time of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 36 seconds.

Third place went to team No. 42, anchored by Roy Meats, which finished the race in 1 hour, 55 minutes.